15 Jun 2022 Fishing derby raises $2,000 for foster kids

On June 4, Deluca Properties hosted the Beat the Drum for Foster Care Fishing Derby and raised $2,000 for The Call of Conway and Faulkner counties. The event was held at Lakeview Landing on Overcup Lake and approximately 75 adults and children registered.

“We want to raise awareness that there are a lot of foster children in need of homes in Conway County and not enough foster parents,” said Shauna Paul with Deluca Properties.  

The derby was named for the drum fish that are prevalent in Overcup Lake. “They are fun to catch because they put up a big fight while reeling them in,” Paul said. “They also bite on almost any bait. Richard Deluca went with ‘biggest drum’ to make it more about getting the children fishing than having it be about fishermen catching a certain type of fish.”

Other businesses that participated in the derby were The Coffee Bean truck, Trezvant’s BBQ truck and Hardy’s Fun Time Inflatables, along with live music. There were many categories to win prizes and trophies, such as biggest drum, biggest fish, biggest brim and the list went on. Door prizes were drawn at the end of the event.  

“The children had so much fun,” Paul said. “We would like to thank every single person and business that donated to this event including, but not limited to: Make Your Mark Apparel, ETW, Brents and Sons, Chapman Marble, Two Guys Hibachi, JTK Investments, Tobacco Corner, Annie Duvall CPA, Lentz Co., Farm Bureau, Vaughn Roofing, 5 Mile Store and Deli, Ace Hardware, Hairport, Mackey’s Catfish, Coffee Bean, Barnyard Friends, Hagans Dodge, Magie Ford and Big Cuppa.”